ESPN.com is reporting that the Oakland A's have traded Matt Holliday to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for three prospects, including third baseman Brett Wallace, the Cardinals top draft pick in 2008 and their top-overall minor league prospect. Also included in the deal are outfielder Shane Peterson and pitcher Clayton Mortensen.
The only real question regarding Wallace is his defense, as many scouts are unsure whether he will be able to remain at third base or force a shift across the diamond to first base. This posed a problem within the Cardinals organization with Albert Pujols at first base, but the A's do not have a mainstay blocking Wallace at either position. Wallace is hitting .289/.368/.429 this season splitting time between Double and Triple-A.
Peterson, primarily a right fielder, was the Cardinals 2nd round pick (59th overall) in 2008 and has split time this season between the Florida State League (High-A) and the Texas League (Double-A). He is hitting .295/.361/.423 this season. Mortensen was the Cardinals first round pick in 2007, but has yet to perform as they had hoped. The Gonzaga alum struggled with a 4.96 ERA last season but lowered that to 4.37 this year in the Pacific Coast League. Mortensen is the only one of the three prospects traded who has appeared in the major leagues.
